Could it be scaled down to the size of a hand grenade? A firecracker?
2006-07-04 10:54:33 · 4 answers · asked by psilohead 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
well....
the smallest practical nuclear devices were fitted to be fired from 155mm artillery shells. further, a small device (a Davy Crockett ground launched missile) was so small it could fit in a small suit case. and there have been rumors of small back pack units used for advanced engineering type clearance of structures.
but a nuclear hand grenade? no. you couldn't throw it far enough by hand to get away from the blast and radiation effects. there wouldn't be enough material for criticality with a firecracker sized amount. so the only thing that increase the criticality is the purity of the material, or the more efficient use of the neutrons to sustain the reaction.
2006-07-04 12:41:55 · answer #1 · answered by centurion613 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. YOu have to have a critical mass for a fission reaction. I'm not sure what that critical mass is, but I'm thinking it is around 4.5kg of enriched uranium. That's a bit bigger than a hand grenade just for the uranium itself, let alone the triggering mechanisms, timing, incendiary explosives, etc.
I doubt you could reduce the size to that of anything less than a standard - sized bathtub. Any experts care to further comment?
2006-07-04 18:02:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
two and a half kiloton and man packable.
2006-07-04 17:58:01 · answer #3 · answered by Bear Naked 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what type of question is that
2006-07-04 17:57:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋